Seven Walpole Girl Scouts recently earned their Bronze Award, the highest award a Junior Girl Scout can earn. The now sixth graders’ project, “New and Improved Girl Scout House” focused on refurbishing the fire pit area at the nonprofit Walpole Scout House. To earn the Bronze Award, a team of Girl Scouts researches what causes a problem in their community, comes up with a solution, and works with the community to make a plan that brings the solution to life.
This group of seven identified needs at the Walpole Girl Scout House where their troop has been meeting since kindergarten. They each worked at least 20 hours to research, plan, raise money, rake, sand picnic tables, install landscaping, build and install colored solar lighting along the path, build a firewood holder, clean fire grates, and stencil and repaint the house Girl Scout Law sign. The more than 150 girl hours that went into the project resulted in an improved outdoor space that can be enjoyed by troops of all ages.
The group hosted a Spring seedling and craft sale to raise money for the project, and solicited donations from generous Walpole businesses.
Brennan Tree & Landscaping brought heavy equipment and removed and grinded several damaged trees and stumps on the property. The girls got to learn how to operate the machinery, and direct placement of new stump seats around the fire pit.
Southridge Farm & Nursery advised on plants that would grow well in the shaded area, and donated a dozen plants, soil and deer repellant.
The girls are very grateful to Matt of Brennan Tree and to Julia at Southridge for their time, kindness, patience and generosity.
The group hosted a S’mores and Songs campfire to celebrate their work, inviting other Walpole Girl Scouts and the supporters to enjoy the fire pit and learn some classic camp songs.
They had to submit a final report and were approved last month by the Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts to receive the award. It will be presented at a Bronze & Bridging Ceremony as the girls bridge to the next level – Cadette Girl Scouts.
The Bronze Award recipients are: Anna McGivney, Cadence Borman, Freya Pedersen, Josie Greenbaum, Molly Kett, Wendy MacLeay, and Valerie Gallagher.
The Walpole Scout House was donated to Walpole Girl Scouts by the Bird Foundation over 80 years ago and is an integral part of the local Girl Scout experience. It’s a 501(c)(3) organization run by a Board of Directors, and relies on donations and user fees to maintain.
